Newark (N.J.) Schools Mark Facebook Donation Anniversary

Newark teachers will have access to $600,000 in grant money meant to encourage innovative teaching methods that can be replicated district-wide, education officials announced Wednesday.

Money for the creation of the Newark Teachers Innovation Fund comes from a $100 million donation by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, given to Newark schools exactly one year ago. An additional $47 million in philanthropic donations have been raised so far toward matching Zuckerberg's grant.

Newark school officials, Mayor Cory Booker and members of the Foundation for Newark's Future--which was set up to administer the Zuckerberg donation and raise more money--said more than $7 million of the philanthropic funds had gone to school-related programs since Zuckerberg announced the gift last September on "Oprah."